Hurtigruten has announced that it will be transforming three of its existing vessels to hybrid-powered expedition cruise ships.

As part of the makeover, MS Trollfjord, MS Finnmarken and MS Midnatsol will be renamed MS Maud, MS Otto Sverdrup and MS Eirik Raude.

The converted ships will be equipped with battery packs, shore power and other green technology designed to dramatically cut emissions. They will sail year-round expedition cruises along the Norwegian coast from 2021.

The transformed, environmentally-friendly vessels will join MS Roald Amundsen, which launched this summer as Hurtigruten’s first hybrid-powered cruise ship. With these new additions, Hurtigruten is on its way to having one of the greenest fleets in the world. This year, the expedition cruise company announced it would shortly be powering ships some of its ships with dead fish and organic waste.

“With these new expedition cruise vessels, you will be able to explore Norway like never before, with all the comforts, facilities and expertise you need for creating a perfect adventure. Combined with groundbreaking green technology, these ships will truly stand out,” says Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam.

MS Otto Sverdrup will have battery packs installed during a 2020 yard stay, with a letter of intent for the same battery installation on MS Maud and MS Eirik Raude in 2021. The battery packs will support the ships engines, and drastically cut emissions.

In addition, the three ships will get substantially upgraded low-emission engines, complying with all known and upcoming regulations (Tier3).

Skjeldam comments: “At Hurtigruten, the push for sustainable solutions and introduction of green technology is the core of everything we do. We operate in some of the most spectacular areas of the world. This comes with a responsibility.”

MS Maud (the current MS Trollfjord) is named after one of the most famous polar vessels of all time, Roald Amundsen’s “Maud” from 1917. Meanwhile, MS Otto Sverdrup (the current MS Finnmarken) has been christened after after one of Norway’s most notable polar heroes, who was a captain on board Hurtigruten ships.

Finally, MS Eirik Raude (the current MS Midnatsol), is named after one of the most famous Viking chiefs in history. Eirik Raude – also known as Eric the Red –is known not only for discovering Greenland, but also for giving the island its name.

For more information, visit hurtigruten.com.